Steam cleaning machine



July 17, 1956 P. ARANT 2,755,130

STEAM CLEANING MACHINE Filed Feb. 15, 1952 'lwil'll l M INVENTOR Perryflranl s BY Ed -an? 741m ATTORNEYS July 17, 1956 P. ARANT 2,755,130

' STEAM CLEANING MACHINE Filed Feb. 15, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 PearyAlan/Z y 7, 1956 P. ARANT 2,755,130

STEAM CLEANING MACHINE Filed Feb. 15, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I64 y 3mmPerl Alan? 1 10 1 9g 73 JA nite States Patent l 2,755,130 Patented July17, 1956 STEAM CLEANING MACHINE Perry Arant, San Gabriel, Calif.,assignor to Clayton Manufacturing Company, El Monte, Calil., acorporation of California Application February 15, 1952, Serial No.271,815

20 Claims. (Cl. 299-84) The present invention relates to cleaningmachines and more particularly to certain improvements in steam cleaningmachines of the type designed to provide a vapor cleaning spray and arelatively high pressure rinse, either hot or cold.

The invention further relates to a new type of cleaning gun havingpermanently associated vapor and rinse nozzles, and valve means forrendering one nozzle operative while rendering the other inoperative.

The invention still further relates to a method of converting a vaporspray into a liquid rinse and to the coners on of a liquid rinse backinto a vapor spray.

it has been customary, heretofore, in steam cleaning and rinsingmachines, to employ two separate discharge hoses, one having a cleaninggun with a vapor nozzle at the discharge end thereof, and another havinga cleaning gun with a rinse nozzle at the discharge end thereof,together with separate manually operable valves connected with eachdischarge hose for controlling the flow through the respective hoses. Ithas also been customary to employ various additional valves on themachine itself that must be opened or closed by the operator to convertthe machine from one type of spray operation to another. Obviously, suchprior apparatus has the disadvantage of requiring the operator tosuccessively handle two cleaning guns and hoses, and to return to themachine to adjust arious valves whenever a change from a vapor spray toa rinse spray is desired, and vice versa. Moreover, the presence of twodischarge hoses and two cleaning guns renders the apparatus somewhatcumbersome to use and handle and results in a waste of time,particularly in cases where the hoses are of substantial length and theoperator is working on a ladder or scaffold, or a substantial distancefrom the machine, and must descend to the ground and walk over to themachine in order to adjust the machine to effect the desired conversion.The duplication of hoses and cleaning guns also renders the apparatusinitially more costly and involves an increased maintenance cost.

Brie ly, and by way of contrast, the present invention comprises animproved steam cleaning machine having a. single discharge hosecommunicating at one end with a heating coil and with a source of supplyof rinse water to be blended with the liquid from said coil, and a dualpurpose cleaning gun connected with the opposite end of the dischargehose, the cleaning gun having separate apor and rinse nozzles adapted tobe selectively placed into service by the operator. In a preferred formof construction. the cleaning gun includes conversion a e means builtinto the cleaning gun itself for elfecting cor-version or the dischargefrom vapor to rinse, and ice versa, as working conditions may require.The actuation of the conversion valve means results in varyg thepressure conditions in the system, and a pressure responsive rinsecontrol valve on the machine is connected in the system to automaticallyopen to permit flow f relatively unheated water to the discharge hose toblend with the liquid from the heating coil to produce a liquid rinseonly after the conversion valve means has been adjusted for dischargethrough the rinse nozzle and a predetermined back pressure has beenbuilt up in the system. A pressure responsive soap control valve on themachine is also connected in the system to automatically decrease orterminate the flow of a cleaning agent to a water supply tank for thesystem at the time that the rinse valve is opened. Readjustment of theconversion valve means to change from a rinse operation to a vaporspray, will result in a pressure drop in the system which permits therinse control valve to automatically close and the soap control valve toautoma tically open. Thus, the operator, by merely actuating theconversion valve means at the cleaning gun can easily and quicklyconvert the system from one type of spray to another, and can do sowithout discontinuing or shutting off flow through the cleaning gun.

The pressure responsive rinse control valve disclosed herein can beemployed to advantage (with or without the soap control valve) even inprior cleaning machines having separate vapor and rinse hoses andseparate vapor and rinse guns, inasmuch as the rinse control valve willautomatically respond to closing of the shut-off valve on the vapor gunand opening of the shutoff valve on the rinse gun in the same mannerthat it responds to the conversion valve means on the dual purposecleaning gun embodied in the improved machine, as will be explained morefully hereinafter.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a vaporcleaning and rinsing machine embodying a single, dual purpose cleaninggun, and wherein the operator can convert the gun discharge from onetype of spray to another, as working conditions require, simply bymanipulation of control means at the cleaning gun. itself.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fluid heating anddistribution system which is automatically conditioned to add liquid tothe fluid discharging from a heating coil when a predetermined pressurecondition is attained in the system.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vapor cleaning andliquid rinsing system embodying means automatically operable in responseto conditioning of the cleaning gun for a rinsing operation forpermitting the flow of relatively unheated water to the cleaning gun,for admixture with heated fluid from a heating coil connected with saidgun, to provide a hot rinse.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vapor cleaning andrinsing system wherein unheated liquid for rinse purposes cannot beadmixed with the liquid discharging from the heating coil until after apredetermined back pressure has been attained in the system.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vapor cleaning andrinsing system embodying means auto matically operable in response toconditioning of the cleaning gun for a rinsing operation forinterrupting the addition of a cleaning agent to the liquid beingintroduced into the heating coil.

Still another object of the invention is to pro ide a vapor cleaning andrinsing system wherein the addition of a cleaning agent to the system isautomatically interrupted substantially simultaneously with the addition of relatively cool rinse liquid to the discharge from the heatingcoil during a rinsing operation.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a vapor cleaning andrinsing system that can be automatically converted from one type ofoperation to another in response to manual actuation of conversion valvemeans associated with the vapor and rinse nozzles.

of conversion valve means for converting the issuing spray from vapor torinse, and vice versa, and without shutting off flow through thecleaning gun.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a cleaning gunhaving vapor and rinse nozzles permanently mounted thereon and havingbuiltin valve means for selectively directing flow to one of saidnozzles while preventing fiow to the other.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a method forconverting a vapor spray into a rinse spray, and vice versa.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent fromthe following description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Fig. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a cleaning machine or systemembodying the principles of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, diagrammatic view showing how a vapor hose andgun, and a rinse hose and gun can be connected with the system shown inFig. 1, if desired;

Fig. 3 is a view partly in section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. l andparticularly illustrating, in end elevation, the conversion valve of thecleaning gun;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through the conversion valve takenon the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view partly in section taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an clevational view of a second form of cleaning gun having adifferent type of built-in conversion valve from that shown in Fig. I;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 77 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a view partly in section of a third type of cleaning gunincluding a coupling adapted to have different kinds of nozzlesinterchangeably connected thereto; and

Fig. I is an elevational view of a nozzle adapted to be connected withthe coupling of the gun shown in Fig. 9.

Referring now to Fig. l of the drawings, the numeral 1 identifies aliquid storage tank 1 of small capacity adapted to contain a cleaningsolution comprising water and a cleaning agent, such as soap or adetergent. A conventional float-operated valve 2 is mounted upon thetank 1 and has the inlet thereof connected with one end of a watersupply pipe 3. A tloat 4 is connected to an arm pivotally mounted uponthe valve 2 for effecting operation thereof, in a manner wellunderstood, to allow opening of said valve when the liquid in the tank 1drops below a predetermined level and to efiect closing of said valvewhen the water level rises above said predetermined level. A pipeline 6has one end thereof connected with the bottom of the tank 1 and containsa pipe-T 7, which is joined by a section of pipe 8 to the inlet side ofa feed water pump head 9 of a multiple head positive displacement pump10. The pump 10 also includes a rinse feed head 11 whose inlet isconnected with the pipeline 6 through a conventional, normally closed.pressure-responsive valve 12 so connected in the system that it iscaused to open automatically when a back pressure of about 125 poundsper sq. inch is created in the system, as when the cleaning gun isconverted from a vapor cleaning operation to a liquid rinsing operation,as will be explained more fully hereinafter. The pump 10 has a shaft 13carrying a pulley l4 continuously driven by a belt 15, which passes overa pulley 16 mounted upon the drive shaft of a conventional electricmotor 17.

The discharge outlet of the feed pump head 9 is connected by a pipe 18with the inlet end 19 of a conventional heating coil 20. The heatingcoil 20 has an outlet end 21 which is connected to one branch 22 of afourway pipe fitting 23.

The outlet of the rinse pump head 11 has one end of a pipeline 24connected thereto and is, in turn, connected by a branch pipe 25 toanother outlet 26 of the four-way litting 23. A pressure gauge 27 and agauge cock 28 are connected with the feed pipe 18 to indicate thepressure A of the liquid being pumped into the inlet 19 of heating coil20. A similar pressure gauge 29 is connected by a pipe 30 to a pipe-T 31disposed in the branch pipe 26 for indicating the pressure at thedischarge end 21 of the heating coil 20.

In order to avoid excess pressure in the feed pipe 18, a branch pipe 32is connected therewith and communicates with a pressure relief valve 33,which may be set to open at any selected pressure, for example, poundsper sq. inch. A blow down valve 34 is connected in the pipeline 32between the relief valve 33 and the feed pipe 18. A water pump dischargesnubber 35 is also connected with the pipe 32 and with the rinse feedline 24 at a point beyond the connection of the branch pipe 25therewith. A snubber drain valve 36 is mounted at the end of the rinsefeed line 24 for draining the snubber 35. The pressure relief valve 33,the blow down valve 34, the snubber 35 and the drain valve 36 areconventional, and, therefore, their function and operation in the systemneed not be explained. It may be added that a drain valve 37 isconnected with the lowermost portion of the heating coil 20 to permitdraining of the coil when desired.

A storage tank 38 for a cleaning agent is arranged so that relativelycold water may be introduced thereinto through a pipe 39, one end ofwhich is connected with the supply pipe 3 and the other end of whichcommunicates with the interior of said tank. A manually operable valve40 is connected in the pipe 39 for controlling the flow of water fromthe supply pipe 3 to the tank 38. A perforated basket or container 41 isadapted to have a predetermined quantity of a suitable powdered soap orother soluble cleaning compound placed therein and then inserted intothe tank 38. The term soap as used herein is to be understood as meaningany suitable detergent or cleaning agent. Hot Water or steam can beintroduced into the tank 38 through a pipe 42 having one end thereofconnected with a branch 43 of the four-way fitting 23, and its oppositeend positioned in the tank 38 to provide a jet discharging adjacent thebasket 41 for effecting rapid dissolution of the cleaning agent thereinand thorough mixing thereof with the liquid in the tank. A valve 44 isconnected in the pipe 42 to control the flow of the heated fluid fromthe coil 20 to the tank 38. The tank 38 may be filled to one-third ofits capacity by the hot fluid introduced through the pipe 42, and thensubstantially completely filled by relatively cold water introducedthrough the pipe 39.

A conventional pulsating type soap pump 45 is disposed adjacent thebottom of the tank 38 and is connected to one end of a tube 46 whoseother end is connected as indicated at 47 with the discharge side of thepump head 9. The tube 46 is normally filled with water to provide asomewhat static water column, and as the pump head 9 is operated toforce water into the inlet 19 of the heating coil 20, each pump impulseis transmitted through the water column in tube 46 to effect actuationof the soap pump 45. The soap pump 45 has intake ports (not shown)through which the concentrated scrap from the tank 38 is admitted andalso has an outlet fitting 48 connected to one end of a soap pipe 49,the opposite end of which is bent into a generally inverted U-shape, asindicated at 50, in order to discharge soap into the tank 1. A manuallyadjustable valve 51 is connected in the pipe 49 for controlling the rateat which soap can flow through said pipe to the tank 1. The soap thusadded to the tank 1 mixes with the water introduced into said tank toform a cleaning solution which is delivered to the heating coil 20through the pump head 9. A manually operable shut-off valve 52 isconnected in the pipeline 6 to control the flow of cleaning solutionfrom the tank 1 to the inlet side of the feed pump head 9. Aconventional, normally open, pressure-responsive valve 53 is connectedin the soap pipe 49 between the soap pump 45 and the valve 51, and isconstructed to close automatically when the system or cleaning gun isadjusted for a rinsing operation, as will be pointed out more fullyhereinafter.

The motor 17 operates continuously, and it is to be understood that thepump heads 9 and 11 include a by-pass (not shown) for by-passing liquidat a time when the apparatus is not being used for cleaning or rinsingpurposes. Normally, however the cleaning solution is continuously pumpedfrom the small capacity tank 1 and introduced into the heating coil 20,and water is continuously introduced through the float valve 2 into thetank 1. simultaneously with the continuous proportionate addition ofsoap through the pipe 49. The liquid in the heating coil 20 is heated byan inverted burner B as it flows in continuous stream form through saidheating coil.

The pressure-responsive rinse water control valve 12 and thepressure-responsive soap control valve 53 both derive operating fluidunder pressure from a pipe 54 having one end thereof connected to apipe-T 55 connected in the pipe 30 so that said valves are subject tothe pressure adjacent the outlet of the heating coil.

Referring more particularly to the valve 12, this valve comprises a body56 provided with a seat 57 and a closure member 58 for controlling theflow from the inlet to the outlet side of the valve through said seat. Avalve stem 59 has one end thereof connected with the closure member 58and its opposite end connected with a flexible diaphragm 60 whoseopposite side is engaged by a spring 61 tending to maintain the closuremember 58 seated to obstruct flow from the pipe 6 to the inlet side ofthe pump head 11. The spring 61 is a compression spring which will yieldwhen a back pressure of about 125 pounds per sq. inch is produced in thesystem. The valve body 56 includes a pressure chamber 62 connected withone end of the pipe 54 so that when the pressure in said pipe excecdsthat required to overcome the force of the spring 61, the diaphragm 60will be flexed toward the right to move the closure member 58 away fromthe seat 57 to permit flow from the pipe 6 to the pump head 11.

Similarly, the soap control valve 53 includes a body 63 containing aseat 64 and a closure member 65 for controlling the flow of soap throughthe soap pipe 49 to the tank 1. A stem 66 is connected with the closuremember 65 and also with a flexible diaphragm 67. A spring 68 surroundsthe stem 66 and exerts force in a direction to normally maintain theclosure member 65 out of contact with the seat 64 to thus permit flow ofsoap through the valve 53. The spring 68 is designed so that it willyield and permit closing of the valve 53 when the back pressure in thesystem reaches a pressure of about 125 pounds per sq. inch. A pressurechamber 69 is formed in the valve 53 between the diaphragm 67 and thespring 68 and communicates with the pipe 54 through a pipe connection70. When a back pressure of about 125 pounds per sq. inch is produced inthe system, the force of the spring 68 will be overcome by the pressurein the chamber 69 to effect flexing of the diaphragm 67 toward the rightand movement of the closure member 65 into engagement with the seat 64to obstruct flow through the valve 53. Either the seat 64 or the closuremember 65, or both. may be notched to permit some flow of soap to thetank 1 even when the closure member 65 is seated, if desired.

It will be noted from the foregoing that the pressure in the pipe 54acts simultaneously upon the diaphragm 60 of the rinse control valve 12,and on the diaphragm 67 of the soap control valve 53, but in the case ofthe valve 12 the pressure acts to open the valve; whereas, in the caseof the valve 53 the pressure acts to close the valve, so that the valve12 is opened substantially simultaneously with the closing of the valve53, all for a purpose which will be explained later.

A manually operable discharge control valve 71 has the inlet sidethereof connected by a pipe nipple 72 with one branch of the four-wayfitting 23. The outlet of the valve 71 is connected by a conventionalpipe, union 73 with one end of a flexible hose or discharge conduit 74that may be of any desired length. The opposite end of the hose 74 isconnected by a coupling 75 to a tubular handle portion H, which in turnis connected to the inlet of a manually operable gun shut-off valve 76.The handle H includes a grip portion 11 adapted to be held by theoperator. The handle H and the valve 76 comprise elements of a dualpurpose cleaning gun generally identified by the letter G. The gun G mayinclude a section of pipe 77 having one end thereof connected to theoutlet of the valve 76 and its other end connected to the inlet of amanually operable conversion valve generally identified'by the letter C.A vapor discharge tube and nozzle assembly 78 and a rinse discharge tubeand nozzle assembly 79 are both connected with the conversion valve C.The nozzle assemblies are firmly held together at their free ends by aband 79a. A handle portion or sleeve 80 of non-heat conducting materialsurrounds the pipe 77 and is adapted to be held by the operator whileusing the gun G to perform a cleaning or rinsing operation. The shut-offvalve 76 is conveniently located at the gun to enable the operator toshut off all flow through the gun and avoids the necessity of theoperator walking back to the machine to close the valve 71 whenever useof the gun G is to be discontinued. However, the valve 76 need not beclosed to convert the machine from one type of spray to another, as willbe apparent hereinafter.

The details of the conversion valve C are best illustrated in Figs. 3, 4and 5. Thus, the valve C comprises a body portion 81 having a threadedinlet opening 82 to which one end of the pipe 77 is connected. The bodyportion 81 also has a threaded outlet 83 into which one end of the tubeof the vapor nozzle assembly 78 is threaded. A seat 84 surrounds apassageway 85 in the body 81 and is disposed between the inlet 82 andthe outlet 83.

The valve C further comprises a cover section 86 having a flange portion87 secured to the body portion 81 by a plurality of cap screws 88, asuitable gasket 89 being interposed between said cover and body. Thebody 81 has a chamber 90 defined by a cylindrical wall 91 andcommunicates at all time with the inlet 82. The cover 86 is providedwith a circular boss 92 adapted to engage with the wall 91 for centeringthe cover 86 relative to the body 81. A seat 93 depends from the boss 92and surrounds a passage 94 leading to a threaded outlet opening 95 whichis of substantially smaller diameter than the outlet opening 83. One endof the tube of the rinse nozzle assembly 79 is threaded into the opening95.

A valve disc 96 is disposed between the seats 84 and 93 and is recessedto receive sealing members 97 and 98 adapted to engage the respectiveseats. A valve stem 99 extends through an opening 100 in the valve disc96 and a washer 101 is interposed between the sealing member 98 and ashoulder 102 formed on said valve stem. A similar washer 103 is engagedwith the other sealing member 97 and a nut 104 is mounted upon athreaded portion 105 of said valve stem for securing the valve disc 96,etc. in assembled relation with said valve stem. The valve stem 99 isreduced in diameter at its lower end 106 and is slidably received in avented boss 107 in the body portion 81.

The upper portion of the stem 99 extends through an opening 108 in thecover section 86 and is guided for sliding movement in a conventionalstufling box 109 which is also adapted to provide a seal around saidstem. A knob 110 is carried by the upper extremity of the stem 99 and isadapted to be grasped by the operator to shift the position of the valvedisc 96 from one seat 93 to the other seat 84.

The valve disc 96 has a periphery defined by two beveled surfaces Illand U2 each disposed on an angle of about 45 with respect to a planepassing through a ridge ll3 formed on said disc. The beveled surfacesill and H2 are adapted to cooperate with a plunger or detcut member INhaving a cortical end 115 adapted to engage with either the beveledsurface Ill or the beveled surface H2. The plunger H4 is slitlahlyreceived in a recess 116 formed in a boss ll7 axially aligned with theinlet opening 82. A spring 118 is disposed between the bottom of therecess 116 and the pltlnger 114 for yicldahly urging the plunger towardthe valve disc 96. A groove ll) is f-orn d in the plunger 114 to permitany fluid entrapped in the recess 116 to escape and not interfere withthe retracting movement of the plunger [14.

The valve disc 96 is shown in fig. 2 in the position it assumes during avapor cleaning operation and it is maintained in such position by theengagement of the springpressed plunger 114 with the beveled surface112, the pressure of the fluid in the chamber 99 of the body 81 alsoaiding in maintaining the disc seated. Assuming that the shut-off valves71 and 76 are open, heated fluid from the heating coil 20 can readilyflow through the discharge conduit 74 and pipe 77 into the inlet 82 ofthe valve C, thence through passage 85 and outlet 83 into the vaporno/de assembly 78 from which it is discharged into the atmosphere in theform of a vapor spray to effect a cleaning operation. Should theoperator desire to change from a vapor spray to n rinse operation, theknob llt) of the conversion valve need only he deprcvicd to shift thedisc 96 toward the seat 84. As the tem 99 slides in its guides [07 andIll). the beveled surface N2 of the disc M will cause the plunger IM tobe extracted until after the ridge ll. passes the point of the core liS,.vhcreupon the beveled surface .lll will he engaged by the plunger andthe spring [l8 will then act upon the plunger 114 to urge the disc 96toward the seat 84 to obstruct flow through the opening 85 while at thesame time permitting; flow through the opening 94 and outlet 95 for llowthrough the rinse nozzle assembly 7').

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the disc 96 has only twooperative positions: one at one extreme end of its movement. in which itobstruct; llow through the outlet 95 and permits flow through the outlet83 as illustrated in Fig. 3; and another position at the other cxtrcmeend of its movement in which it obstructs flow through the seat 84 andoutlet opening 83 and permits llow through the seat 93 and outletopening )5. The plunger [14 functions to maintain the valve disc 96 inone or othe other of its extreme positions of rest, while preventingsaid valve disc from assuming any intermediate position ol rest, so thatthe cleaning gun (i must he adiustcd for either a vapor cleaningoperation or a rinsing operation.

In the normal operation of the apparatus described above. the valve 52is open and cleaning solution (water and cleaning agent) flows from thetank I through the pipe 6. pipe T 7 and pipe nipple 8 into the inlet ofthe feed pump head 9. The pump head 9 discharges the solution into thepipe 18 from when-.c it flows into the inlet end 19 of the heating coil20. Simultaneously with the pumping of cleaning solution into the coil20, the pump pulsations are transmitted through the liauid column in thetube 46 to actuate the soap pump 45. as aforede- :eri cd, toproportionately pump soap lrom the tank 33 through the pipe 49, and openvalves 53 and Si into the tank l for admixture with the water enteringsaid tank through the valve 2. The pump head 9. of course, includes alay-pass (not shown) for by-passing solution at a time when the gun G isnot in use. whereby to prevent an cscessive pressure from being built upin the system. However. should an excess pressure condition occur, theI: l t' valve 33 will automatically open to relieve such pressure whenit reaches about 175 pounds per sq. inch.

Assuming that the gun G is in use and that a vapor cleaning spray isbeing discharged at a pressure of about 50 to pounds per sq. inch (andpreferably at about 90 pounds per sq. inch), the rinse control valve 12is closed, the soap control valve 53 is open, and the conversion valve Chas the valve disc .96 thereof engaged with the seat 93, therebyblocking the discharge of fluid through the rinse nozzle 79. Thecleaning solution s heated, of course, by the burner B during itspassage through the treating coil 20 to a temperature such that it willbe converted into vapor upon discharge into the atmosphere through thevapor nozzle 78. The operation of the burner it may be automaticallycontrolled to modulate the supply of fuel in accordance with variationsin pressure and/or temperature conditions, by conventional controldevices. It will be understood that make-up water and soap arecontinuously added to the tank 1 to compensate for the solutiondischarged from the system through the gun G, so that the heating coil20 is always maintained full of liquid. Normally, the discharge capacityat a solution discharge pressure of abeut 90 pounds per sq. inch is 150gallons per hour. The charge or supply of soap or detergent in the tank38 may be replenished whenever necessary in order to assure a vaporcleaning spray of the desired strength to accomplish the particularcleaning operation at hand.

Should it be desired to flush the cleaning solution from the surfacepreviously cleaned by the vapor spray, the operator need only shift thevalve disc 96 of the conversion valve C from the position it is then in(engaging seat 93), into its other extreme position (engaging seat 34)and this will automatically divert flow to the rinse nozzle 79 andconvert the gun G from a vapor cleaning spray to a high velocity, highpressure, but water rinse. This is accomplished by the fact that, sincethe rinse nozzle 79 is smaller in size than the vapor nozzle 78. thedischarge will be restricted and a back pressure will be set up in thesystem resulting in a corresponding pressure quickly being built up inthe pipes 30 and 54, with the result that when the pressure in thesystem is increased to about 125 pounds per sq. inch, the diaphragm 60of the rinse control valve 12 will be actuated to move the closuremember 58 from its seat 57 and allow liquid from the pipe 6 to flow intothe inlet of the rinse pump head ll. whereby relatively cool liquid fromthe tank I is made available for pumping by the pump head 11 into pipes24 and 25 to the four-way fitting 23 where it becomes admixed with thedischarge from the heating coil 20 and flows into the hose 74 forultimate discharge through the rinse nozzle 79. Meanwhile, the same pressure which effected opening of the rinse control valve 12, also actsupon the diaphragm 67 of the soap control valve 53, causing the soapvalve to automatically close to interrupt the addition of soap to thetank 1, whereby soap is conserved and an excess of soap in the rinse jetis avoided. A normal rinsing operation is effected with the presentapparatus at a working pressure in the system of about 150 pounds persq. inch, and with a flow rate of about 275 gallons per hour.

Should the operator desire to convert back from a rinse spray to a vaporcleaning spray, it is only necessary to pull the knob to shift the valvestem 99 so that the valve disc 96 will be returned to its initialposition in engagement with the seat 93 to block flow to the rinsenozzle 79. The pressure will then quickly drop in the system due to theremoval of the flow restriction which had increased the back pressure(the relatively larger vapor discharge nozzle 78 offering lessrestriction than the rinse nozzle 79) so that as soon as the backpressure drops below pounds per sq. inch, the rinse control valve 12will automatically close, thereby shutting off the flow from the pipe 6to the rinse pump head 11, and the soap control valve 53 willautomatically open, to permit rcsumption of soap addition to the tank 1from the tank 38. The pressure in the system continues to drop quicklyuntil it returns to the vapor cleaning pressure for which the machinehas been set.

Thus, the present system eliminates the necessity for separate hoses andguns for vapor cleaning and rinsing operations heretofore considerednecessary, and at the same time makes it extremely easy for the operatorto condition the system so that it will automatically convert itselffrom a vapor cleaning operation to a rinsing operation, solely throughthe manipulation of the conversion control valve C.

Should a cold rinse be desired, such rinse can be obtained at any timeby discontinuing the operation of the burner B.

Fig. 2 diagrammatically illustrates the manner in which two dischargehoses and two cleaning guns, such as have been employed heretofore incleaning machines, may be used with the improved system illustrated inFig. 1 in lieu of the single hose 74 and gun G and still obtain verydesirable advantages by virtue of the fact that the new system lendsitself to conversion control by adjusting means at the cleaning gunsthemselves, and which advantages could not be obtained with any priorsteam cleaning and rinsing systems. Thus, a vapor gun V and a hose 74aare shown connected with a shut-off valve 71a by a coupling 731:. Ashut-off valve 76a at the cleaning gun is connected to a handle portionHa which is connected to the hose 74a by a coupling 75a and is adaptedto be opened to provide a vapor cleaning spray.

The pipe-T 31 is replaced by a four-way pipe fitting 31 and a shut-offvalve 71/) is connected with said fitting by a conventional pipe nipple72!). A rinse hose 74b is connected by a coupling 73h with the dischargeside of the shut-off valve 71b and a rinse gun R including a shut-01fvalve 76b is shown connected with a handle portion Hb, which in turn isconnected to the opposite end of the rinse hose 741) by a coupling 75]).The valve 761) is opened when a rinse spray is desired.

Assuming that the cleaning machine is in operation and the shut-offvalves 71a and 7111 at the machine are both open, then opening of thevalve 76a while the valve 76!; is closed will condition the system forthe discharge of vapor through the vapor cleaning gun V, in the samemanner as adjustment of the conversion valve C for vapor operation, asdescribed hereinbefore. On the other hand, closing of the valve 76a andopening of the valve 76b for etfecting a rinse operation will inherentlyresult in restricting the discharge from the system so that a backpressure is created suflicient to effect opening of thepressure-responsive rinse control valve 12 and closing of thepressure-responsive soap control valve 53, in the same manner describedhereinbefore in connection with the adjustment of the conversion valve Cfor effecting a rinse operation.

The important fact to be noted here is that the use of thepressure-responsive valves 12 and 53, even in prior systems employingseparate vapor and rinse guns, provides the advantage of enabling theoperator to condition the system for automatic conversion from one typeof spray to another by manipulation of the valves 76:! and 761), at thecleaning guns, without requiring the operator to return to the machineto open or close valves to convert the system from one type of spray toanother. However, the system shown in Fig. l is preferred for obviousreasons.

It will be apparent, once the principles of the present system areunderstood, that conversion valve means diflrent from the valve C may beembodied in a cleaning gun for effecting automatic conversion of thesystem from vapor to rinse operation, and vice versa, at the will of theoperator. By way of further example, in Figs. 6 to 8, a cleaning gun Gis shown provided with a conversion valve C embodying rotary plug valveelements instead of the reciprocable valve disc 96 shown in Figs. 3 to5. Thus, the valve C includes a body 125 having a threaded inlet 126 formounting the same upon the pipe 77. The inlet 126 communicates with achamber 127 which merges into two outlet passages, a vapor outletpassage 128 and a rinse outlet passage 129. The outlet passage 128 isintersected by an enlarged generally cylindrical bore 130 provided forthe reception of a correspondingly shaped plug valve 131 having a port132 adapted to be placed in alignment with the outlet passage 128. Theoutlet passage 129 is also intersected by an enlarged generallycylindrical bore 132 adapted to receive a plug valve 133 of similarshape. The plug valve 131 has a port 134 adapted to be placed inalignment with the passage 129, as shown in Fig. 8. The plug valves 131and 133 and the bores 130 and 132 associated therewith are preferablyslightly tapered to insure a tight fit. However, these plug valves andbores may be made truly cylindrical, if desired, provided that a closetolerance is maintained between the plugs and bores to prevent leakage.

The vapor outlet opening 128 is threaded at its outer end and a conduitcomprising part of a vapor discharge nozzle assembly 135 is mountedtherein. The outer end of the rinse passage 129 is also threaded and aconduit member of a rinse nozzle assembly 137 is threaded therein. Thefree ends of the nozzle assemblies 135 and 137 are secured together by aband 137a.

The plug valve 131 has an axial hub 138 upon which a spur gear 139 ismounted and non-rotatably secured thereto by a key 140 received incomplemental keyways in said hub and gear. The plug valve 133 has asimilar hub 141 upon which a spur gear 142 is non-rotatably secured by asimilar key 143. The hub 141 includes a projecting stem portion 144 ofreduced diameter that extends through an opening 145 formed in a cover146, secured to the valve body 125 by a plurality of cap screws 147, agasket 148 being interposed between said valve body and cover. The stem144 also extends through a conventional stuffing box 149 which forms aseal around the same. An operating handle 150 is secured to the outerextremity of the stem 144 and serves as an operating means for the valveC. An annular corrugated spring 151 is interposed between the cover 146and the gear 139 to maintain the plug valve 131 in intimate contact withthe walls of its bore 130. A similar spring 152 is interposed betweenthe cover 146 and th gear 142 to likewise maintain the plug valve 133 inintimate contact with its bore 132. The gears 139 and 142 have the samepitch diameter, so that any degree of angular rotation imparted to theplug valve 133 will necessarily result in rotation of the plug valve 131through exactly the same angle. Thus, it will be apparent that bymanually rotating the handle 150 through an angle of 90, the port 131 inthe plug valve 133 will be rotated to a vertical position and the port132 in the plug valve 131 will be rotated to a horizontal position. Theaforesaid angular movement of the handle 150 is limited by stop pins 153and 154 mounted on the cover 146. In Fig. 6, the handle 150 is shownengaged with the pin 153, and the letter R appears on the cover 146opposite a pointed indicator on the end of said handle to indicate thatthe valve C is adjusted for a rinse operation. The position of the plugvalves 131 and 133 corresponding to a rinse operation is illustrated inFigs. 7 and 8. Should the operator wish to convert the system from arinse operation to a vapor spray operation, then the handle 150 needonly be rotated clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 6, until it engages withthe pin 1.54. The indicator end of the handle 150 will then lie inregistration with the letter V appearing on the cover 146, to indicateto the operator that the gun has been conditioned for a vapor spray. Thevalve 76 need not be closed to enable conversion to be effected from onetype of spray to another. Thus, the operation of the systemincorporating the gun G, with the built-in conversion valve C, isexactly the same as that described hereinbefore in connection with thegun G.

Fig. 9 illustrates an extremely simple and relatively inexpensive formof cleaning gun G that can be used with the system shown in Fig. 1 inlieuof the cleaning guns G or G, and still afford some but not all ofthe advantages of the preferred form of cleaning machine and gun shownin Fig. l. In Fig. 9, a c upling 160 is threaded onto one end at thepipe "/7 and is preferably permanently lixcd thereto by merits ofwelding or otherwise. to prevent relation thereof relative to said pipe.A conduit l6l comprising part of a vapor nozzle assentbly is threadedonto the coupling 16). In Fig. 10, a rinse nozzle asserttbly 163 isshown having an enlarged internally thrcztdcd portion I64 at one endthereof which is adapted to be threaded onto tlte coupling to in lieu ofthe vapor nozzle assembly l6l.

It will be apparent that the nozzle assemblies 161 and 163 areinterchangeable and that one may be ttsed in lieu of the other bymounting the same on the coupling 160. However, in using the gun i".whenever a change in type of spray is desired, the operator must closethe shut-oil valve 76 to terminate the discharge from the system. Thenozzle then connected with the coupling 160 can be removed by theoperator and replaced by another type of nozzle.

Assuming that the operator has removed tltc vapor nozzle assembly I61and has replaced it with the rinse nozzle assembly I63, v. hen the valve76 is opened, it is very likely that the apparatus will already havebeen conditioned for a high pressure rinse spray by virtue of the factthat the closing 01' the valve 76 caused pressure to build up in thesystem. However if the clm'ng of the valve 7t, did not result in incrc gthe back pressure in th: system suliic cnt to clicct i ;1'..i.lI t ofthe rinse control valve i2 and tloi-jt'tg o! the soap :"tntrol valve53,1hcn the I'ctltitiliOn to discharge from the system ollcred by therinse no 163 v.ill soon create a back n sstu'e sullicicnt to cll'cct n;ition otthe valvcs l2 and 53. the same as when convc 101 is cil cctcd bymanipulation of the conversion va ves (Q or C, in the systctt";previously described. 'lhus; when the gun til" is used, conversion oftire system from one type at spiny to another can still he cll'cctcd bythe operator, at the gun. and without requiring the ot'ictntor to returnto the machine to open or close any valves. A separate conversion valveis not necessary in the gun G", but the omission of such valve resultsin the di advtmtagc that the operator must close the valve 76 and changetlULL-Zltlfi whenever a different type of spray is desired.

It will be understood that various types of conversion valves cart bedesigned for use with th; dual purpose cleaning guns G and (i' disclosedherein and still obtain all of the advantage; aliordcd hy the presentsystem embodying the automatic rinsc control vnlvc l2 and/or theautomatic soap control valve 53. For example. the pipe 24 could heconncctcd to the pipe is instead ot to the pipe-T 31, so that the rinsewater would pass through the heating coil with the teed water. in lieuof mixing with the heated stream at the -'l-' vay lilting 23. la thisevent a single diaphragm snuhl-icr would he used in lieu ol the doublediaphragm snuhbcr 35 and would l c connected only with the pipe 32.

It will also be understood that \.trious changes may be made in thearrangement and dctuils of construction of the syst m and the varic scleanin nun di closed herein, and that the various (-P-Ct'nlitrg rat."and pt'cwnrcs for steam Ll t lllllt', back pressure and rinse ptessut'cgiven by any of example :an r. samal ly he varied without departing fromthe principles of the invention or the scope ol the annexed claims.(.crtain improvements in cleaning; machine ol the type disclosed hereinare embodied in my co-pen lint; application Serial No. 311,297, tiledSeptember Z-l, l 7

I claim:

1. A lluid heating and distribution system. comprising: a heating: coilhaving an inlet and an outlet; :1 discharge conduit cotmnunicating withsaid outlet; pump means connected with said inlet for introducing liquidto be heated into said heating coil; additional pump means communicatingwith said discharge condttit for pumping relatively unheated liquid intosaid discharge conduit for admixture with the heated liquid from saidheating coil; and automatic means in said system permitting flow of saidrelatively unheated liquid to said discharge conduit only after apredetermined pressure is attained in said system.

2. A fluid heating and distribution system, comprising: a heating coilhaving an inlet and an outlet; a dis charge conduit communicating withsaid outlet; ptttnp means having an outlet connected with said heatingcoil inlet for pumping liquid into said heating coil; additional pumpmeans having an outlet communicating with said discharge conduit forpumping relatively cool liquid into said discharge conduit for admixturewith the liquid from said heating coil; and a normally closed, fluidpressure operable valve connected in the system for permitting flow ofliquid from said additional pump means to said discharge conduit onlyafter a predetermined pressure is attained in said system sutficient toeffect opening of said valve.

3. A fluid heating and distribution system, comprising: a heating coilhaving an inlet and an outlet; at discharge conduit communicating withsaid outlet; pump means having an outlet connected with said heatingcoil inlet for pumping liquid into said heating coil; additional pumpmeans having an outlet communicating with said discharge conduit forpumping relatively cool liquid into said discharge conduit for admixturewith the liquid from said heating coil; a normally closed, fluidpressure opcrable valve connected in the system for permitting tlow ofliquid from said additional pump means to said discharge conduit onlyafter a predetermined pressure is attained in said system sutlicient toeffect opening of said valve; and means for restricting the dischargefrom sa d discharge conduit to create a back pressure in the systemsntlicient to cause opening of said valve.

4. A fluid heating and distribution system, comprising: a heating coilhaving an inlet and an outlet; at discharge conduit communicating withsaid outlet; at liquid storage tank; pump means having an inletconnected with said storage tank and having an outlet connected withsaid heating coil inlet for pumping liquid from said tank into saidheating coil; additional pump means having an inlet connected with saidstorage tank and having an outlet communicating with said dischargeconduit for pumping relatively unheated liquid from said storage tankinto said discharge conduit for admixture with the liquid from saidheating coil; and a normally closed, tluid pressure operable valvedisposed between said storage tank and said inlet of said additionalpump means for permitting fiow of said relatively unheated liquid fromsaid storage tank to said inlet of said additional pump only alter apredetermined pressure is attained in said system sulli cient to eltectopening of said valve.

5. A fluid heating and distribution system, compris ing: a heating coilhaving an inlet and an outlet; a dis charge condttit communicating withsaid outlet; at liquid storage tank; ptttnp means having an inletconnected with said storage tank and having an outlet connected withsaid heating coil inlet for pumping liquid from said tank into saidheating coil to be heated in said heating coil; additional pump meanshaving an inlet connected with said storage tank and having an outletcommunicating with said discharge conduit for pumping relatively tut--heated liquid from said storage tank into said discharge conduit foradmixture with the heated liquid from said heating coil; a normallyclosed, fluid pressure operable valve disposed between said storage tankand said inlet of said additional pump means for preventing flow of saidrelatively unheated liquid from said storage tank to said inlet of saidadditional pump unless a predetermined pressure is attained in saidsystem sufficient to ellcct opening of said valve; and means forrestricting the discharge 13 from said discharge conduit to create aback pressure .in the system sufficient to cause opening of said valve.

6. A cleaning machine, comprising: a heating coil having an inlet and anoutlet; means for heating said coil; a discharge conduit communicatingwith said outlet; a cleaning gun connected with said discharge conduitand including a vapor nozzle adapted to be placed in communication withsaid discharge conduit to provide a vapor. spray and a rinse nozzle ofrelatively smaller size than said vapor nozzle also adapted to be placedin communication with said discharge conduit to provide a liquid rinsespray; pump means connected with said inlet for introducing liquid to beheated into said heating coil; additional pump means communicating withsaid discharge conduit for pumping relatively unheated liquid into saiddischarge conduit for admixture with the heated liquid from said heatingcoil; and tneans at said gun for converting the gun discharge from avapor spray to a high pressure liquid rinse spray, and vice versa, whileallowing flow through said gun.

7. A cleaning machine, comprising: a coil having an inlet and an outlet;a discharge conduit communicating with said outlet; a cleaning gunconnected with said discharge conduit having a vapor nozzle adapted tobe selectively placed in communication with said discharge conduit andhaving a rinse nozzle of relatively smaller size than said vapor nozzleadapted to be selectively placed in communication with said dischargeconduit; pump means connected with said inlet for introducing liquidinto said coil; additional pump means communicating with said dischargeconduit for pumping liquid into said dscharge conduit for admixture withthe liquid from said coil; and automatic means for preventing flow ofliquid to said discharge conduit from said additional pump means unlessdischarge is taking place through said rinse nozzle.

8. A cleaning machine, comprising: a heating coil having an inlet and anoutlet; means for heating said coil; a discharge conduit communicatingwith said outlet; a cleaning gun connected with said discharge conduitand including a vapor nozzle adapted to be placed in communication withsaid discharge conduit to provide a vapor spray and a rinse nozzle ofrelatively smaller size than said vapor nozzle also adapted to be placedin communication with said discharge conduit to provide a high pressureliquid rinse spray; pump means connected with said inlet for introducingliquid to be heated into said. heating coil; additional pump meanscommunicating with said discharge conduit for pumping relativelyunheated liquid into said discharge conduit for admixture with theheated liquid from said heating coil; manually operable conversion valvemeans in said gun for selectively diverting flow from one nozzle to theother; and automatic means for preventing flow of said relativelyunheated liquid to said discharge conduit from said additional pumpmeans unless discharge is taking place through said rinse nozzle.

9. A cleaning machine, comprising: a heating coil having an inlet and anoutlet; means for heating said coil; 21 first pump connected with saidinlet of said heating coil I for pumping liquid into said coil to beheated; a second pump for pumping liquid for admixture with thedischarge from the outlet of said heating coil; a flexible conduithaving one end thereof connected with the outlet of. said heating coil;a cleaning gun having an inlet connected with the op osite end of saidflexible conduit and including a vapor discharge nozzle and a rinsedischarge nozzle; and conversion valve means at said gun operable toselec tively permit flow to one nozzle while obstructing flow to theother, said rinse nozzle having a passage smaller in size than thepassage of said vapor nozzle, whereby to restrict flow and create a backpressure in said flexible conduit; and a pressure responsive valvecontrolling flow of liquid to said second pump arranged to automaticallyopen when the pressure in the system exceeds a predetermined amount toallow liquid to be supplied to said second pump, and to automaticallyclose and interrupt the liquid supply to said second pump when thepressure in said system is below a predetermined amount.

10. A cleaning machine, comprising: a heating coil having an inlet andan outlet; feed water pump means connected with said inlet for pumpingcleaning liquid into said heating coil; means for heating the cleaningliquid in said coil; a discharge conduit connected at one end thereofwith the outlet of said heating coil; a cleaning gun having an inletconnected with the opposite end of said discharge conduit, said cleaninggun having a rinse nozzle and a vapor nozzle and outlets respectivelycommunicating with said nozzles, said rinse nozzle having a passage ofsmaller size than said vapor nozzle. whereby to automatically build up aback pressure in the system when a rinsing operation is desired; rinsewater pump means connected with said discharge conduit for pumpingrelatively unheated rinse liquid into said discharge conduit foradmixture with the heated liquid from said heating coil; valve meanscooperable with said outlets for selectively effecting flow through oneor the other of said nozzles; and pressure-responsive valve means insaid system preventing flow of relatively unheated rinse water to saidrinse water pump means until a predetermined back pressure is attainedin said system.

11. A cleaning machine, comprising: a heating coil having an inlet andan outlet; feed water pump means connected with said inlet for pumpingcleaning liquid into said heating coil; means for heating the cleaningliquid in said coil; discharge conduit connected at one end thereof withthe outlet of said heating coil; a cleaning gun having an inletconnected with the opposite end of said discharge conduit, said cleaninggun having a vapor nozzle normally operable at a pressure of about 50 topounds per sq. inch, and a rinse nozzle normally operable at a pressureof about to pounds per sq. inch, the latter nozzle having a passage ofsmaller size than the former, whereby to automatically build up a backpressure in the system when a rinsing operation is desired; rinse waterpump means connected with said discharge conduit for pumping relativelyunheated liquid into said discharge conduit for admixture with theheated liquid from said heating coil; valve means for selectivelyeffecting flow through one or the other of said nozzles; and pressureresponsive valve means in said system preventing flow of relativelyunheated water to said second pump means until a predetermined backpressure of about 125 pounds per sq. inch is attained in said system.

12. A cleaning machine, comprising: a heating coil having an inlet endand an outlet end; means for heating said coil; a liquid storage tank; afirst pump means; a first pipe line connecting said storage tank withsaid pump means and connecting said pump means with said inlet end ofsaid coil; a discharge conduit connected with the outlet end of saidcoil; a second pump means; a second pipe line connecting said first pipeline with said second pump means and connecting said second pump meanswith said discharge conduit; a normally closed pressure responsive valveconnected in said second pipe line actuatable in response to apredetermined pressure in said discharge conduit; a cleaning gunconnected with said discharge conduit and having vapor and liquiddischarge nozzles of diiferent sizes; and a conversion valve forcontrolling flow to one or the other of said nozzles, whereby when flowis directed through the smaller of said discharge nozzles a backpressure is created in said conduit effective upon said pressureresponsive valve to allow flow to said second pump means to supplyliquid to said discharge conduit in addition to the liquid deliveredthereto from said heating coil. I

13. A cleaning machine, comprising: a heating coil having an inlet andon outlet; means for heating said coil; a liquid storage tank; means forautomatically maintaining a predetermined minimum liquid level in saidstorage tank; feed pump means having an inlet communicating with saidliquid tank and having an outlet communicating with the inlet of saidtreating coil for pumping liquid from said liquid tank into said heatingcoil at a given pressure to be heated to a temperature suflicient tocause vaporization upon discharge into the atmosphere; additional liquidpump means having an inlet communicating with said liquid tank andhaving an outlet communicating with the otttlct of said heating coil,whereby relatively cool liquid can be mixed with the heated liquid atthe outlet of said heating coil; a normally closed, fluid pressureoperable rinse control valve interposed between said liquid tank andsaid additional liquid pump means, said valve having a pressure chamber;conduit means connecting said pressure chamber of said valve with thesystem at a point adjacent said heating coil outlet 50 that said valveis automatically operable in response to pressure conditions in saidsystem; a discharge conduit communicating with said heating coil outletfor discharging fluid from said heating coil, said fluid pressureoperable rinse control valve being operable to open at a predeterminedpressure above said given pressure, whereby to allow flow of liquid fromsaid liquid tank to said additional liquid pump means whenever saidpredetermined increased pressure is attained in said system; a cleaninggun connected with said discharge conduit, said cleaning gun having avapor nozzle and a relatively small rinse nozzle; and means forselectively directing flow for discharge through either said vapornozzle or said rinse nozzle, said rinse nozzle restricting the dischargefrom said cleaning gun to create a back pressure in said systemcorresponding to said predetermined increased pressure to effectautomatic actuation of said fluid pressure operable valve, as aforesaid.

[4. A cleaning machine, comprising: a heating coil having an inlet endand an outlet end; means for heating said coil; a liquid storage tank;means for automatically maintaining a predetermined minimum liquid levelin said storage tank; a liquid soap storage tank; feed pump means havingan inlet communicating with said liquid tank and having an outletcommunicating with the inlet of said heating coil for pumping liquidfrom said liquid tank into said heating coil at a given pressure to beheated to a temperature sufficient to cause vaporization upon dis chargeinto the atmosphere; soap pump means for pump ing soap from said soaptank to said liquid tank; a normally open fluid pressure operable soapcontrol valve interposed between said soap ptunp means and said liquidtank, said valve having a pressure chamber; conduit means connectingsaid pressure chamber of said valve with the system at a point adjacentsaid heating coil outlet so that said valve is automatically operable inresponse to pressure conditions in said system; a discharge conduitcommunicating with said heating coil outlet for discharging fluid fromsaid heating coil, said fluid pressure operable soap control valve beingoperable to close at a prede tcrmined pressure above said givenpressure, whereby to interrupt the flow of soap from said soap tank tosaid liquid tank whenever said predetermined increased pressure isattained in said system; a cleaning gun connected with said dischargeconduit, said cleaning gun having a vapor nozzle and a relatively smallrinse nozzle; and means for selectively diverting flow from said rinsenozzle to said vapor nozzle to thus restrict the discharge from saidcleaning gun to create a back pressure in said system corresponding tosaid predetermined increased pressure to effect automatic actuation ofsaid fluid pressure operable valve, as aforesaid.

15. A cleaning machine, comprising: a heating coil having an inlet andan outlet; means for heating said coil: a liquid storage tank; means forautomatically maintaiuing a predetermined minimum liquid level in saidstorage tank: a liquid soap storage tank; feed putnp means having aninlet communicating with said liquid tank and having an outletcommunicating with the inlet of said heatng coil for pumping liquid fromsaid liquid tank into said heating coil at a given pressure to be heatedto a temperature sufficient to cause vaporization upon discharge intothe atmosphere; soap pump means for pumping soap from said soap tank tosaid liquid tank; additional liquid pump means having an inletcommunicating with said liquid tank and having an outlet communicatingwith the outlet of said heating coil, whereby relatively cool liquid canbe mixed with the heated liquid at the outlet of said heating coil; anormally closed, fluid pressure operable rinse control valve interposedbetween said liquid tank and said additional liquid pump means; anormally open fluid pressure operable soap control valve interposedbetween said soap pump means and said liquid tank, each of said valveshaving a pressure chamber; conduit means connecting said pressurechambers of said valves with the system at a point adjacent said heatingcoil outlet so that said valves are automatically operable in responseto pressure conditions in said system; a discharge conduit communicatingwith said heating coil outlet for conducting fluid from said heatingcoil to a cleaning gun, said fluid pressure operable rinse and soapcontrol valves being operable to respectively open and closesubstantially simultaneously at a predetermined pressure above saidgiven pressure, whereby to allow flow of liquid from said liquid tank tosaid additional liquid pump means and to interrupt the flow of soap fromsaid soap tank to said liquid tank whenever said predetermined increasedpressure is attained in said system; a cleaning gun connected with saiddischarge conduit, said cleaning gun having a vapor nozzle and arelatively small high pressure rinse nozzle; and means for selectivelydirecting flow for discharge through either said vapor nozzle or saidIinst: nozzle, said rinso nozzle restricting the discharge front saidcleaning gun to create a back pressure in said system corresponding tosaid predetermined increased pressure to effect automatic actuation ofsaid fluid pressure operable valvcs, as aforesaid.

l6. A vapor cleaning and rinsing gun, comprising: a body having an inletadapted to be connected with a source of heated fluid under pressure; avapor nozzle and a rinse nozzle connected with said body, said bodyhaving passages communicating with the respective nozzles; andconversion valve means in said body cooperable with said passages forcontrolling flow of fluid between said inlet and said nozzles, saidconversion valve means being adjustable relative to said passages topermit flow of said vapor nozzle while obstructing flow to said rinsenozzle, and to permit flow to said rinse nozzle while obstructing flowto said vapor nozzle.

[7. A vapor cleaning and rinsing gun, comprising: a conduit portion; ashut-off valve mounted on one end of said conduit portion adapted tocontrol the flow of fluid under pressure thereto; a hollow body havingan inlet connected to the other end of said conduit portion: a vapornozzle and a rinse nozzle connected with said body, said body havingpassages communicating with the respective nozzles; and conversion valvemeans in said body cooperable with said passages for controlling flowbetween said inlet and said nozzles; said conversion valve means beingadjustable relative to said passages to permit flow to said vapor nozzlewhile obstructing flow to said rinse nozzle. and to permit flow to saidrinse nozzle while obstructing flow to said vapor nozzle.

18. A vapor cleaning and rinsing gun, comprising: a body having aninlet, adapted to be connected with a source of heated fluid underpressure, and two Outlets, a vapor nozzle and a rinse nozzle connectedwith said body and communicating with respective of said outlet and amovable flow control member in said body between said inlet and saidoutlets, said flow control member being selectively movable from oneextreme position to another and being operative in one extreme positionto permit flow through one outlet to said vapor nozzle while obstructingflow to said rinse nozzle, and being operative in its other extremeposition to permit flow through the 17 other outlet to said rinse nozzlewhile obstructing flow to said vapor nozzle.

19. A vapor cleaning and rinsing gun, comprising: a body having aninlet, adapted to be connected to a fluid source under pressure, andhaving two outlets each provided with a valve seat; nozzles havingdischarge passages of different size connected with the respectiveoutlets; a movable flow control member in said body, said flow controlmember being selectively movable to engage one or the other of saidvalve seats to permit fiow through one outlet to one nozzle whileobstructing flow through the other outlet to the other nozzle.

20. A vapor cleaning and rinsing gun, comprising: a body having an inletadapted to be connected to a fluid source under pressure and having twooutlets each provided with a valve seat, said valve seats being disposedin confronting relation to each other; a vapor nozzle having a passageof a given size connected with one of said outlets; a rinse nozzlehaving a passage of a relatively smaller size connected with the otherof said outlets; a movable valve disc in said body disposed between saidvalve seats; a stem connected to said valve disc for selectivelyengaging said valve disc with one or the other of said valve seats topermit flow through one outlet to one of said nozzles while obstructingflow through the outlet to the other of said nozzles; and meansrequiring said valve disc to engage one valve seat or the other, wherebysaid valve disc is prevented from assuming a position of rest out ofcontact with both valve seats.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,276,659 Jensen Aug. 20, 1918 1,567,220 Williamson Dec. 29, 19252,073,779 Bramsen Mar. 16, 1937 2,091,166 Shiels Aug. 24, 1937 2,255,493Pfalzgratf Sept. 9, 1941 2,345,614 Malsbary Apr. 4, 1944 2,350,876Clarkson June 6, 1944 2,428,917 McFarland Oct. 14, 1947 2,487,348Malsbary Nov. 8, 1949 2,538,211 Prout Jan. 16, 1951 2,554,200 LoepsingerMay 22, 1951 2,571,575 Holmes Oct. 16, 1951 Oteldt July 29, 1952

